Auxiliary tool assembly for an agricultural implement

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, an auxiliary tool assembly for an agricultural implement may be configured to support a finishing tool(s) at a location at or adjacent to the aft end of the implement. The auxiliary tool assembly may include a support arm extending lengthwise between a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end of the support arm being pivotally coupled to a portion of the implement at or adjacent to its aft end so that the tool assembly is pivotable relative to the implement between a work position and a transport position. In addition, the finishing tool(s) may be configured to be coupled to or otherwise supported relative to the ground by the support arm at a location between its proximal and distal ends. Moreover, the auxiliary tool assembly may include one or more surface-engaging wheels coupled to the distal end of the support arm.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to agricultural implements,such as tillage implements, and, more particularly, to an agriculturalimplement including an auxiliary tool assembly configured to bepositioned at an aft end of the implement to support a finishing tool,such as a rolling basket, at a location aft of the variousground-engaging tools of the implement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that to attain the best agricultural performance from apiece of land, a farmer must cultivate the soil, typically through atillage operation. Common tillage operations include plowing, harrowing,and sub-soiling. Farmers perform these tillage operations by pulling atillage implement behind an agricultural work vehicle, such as atractor. Depending on the crop selection and the soil conditions, afarmer may need to perform several tillage operations at different timesover a crop cycle to properly cultivate the land to suit the cropchoice.

For example, modern farm practices demand a smooth, level field withsmall clods of soil in the fall and spring of the year. In this regard,residue must be cut, sized and mixed with soil to encourage the residueto decompose and not build up following subsequent passes of machinery.To achieve such soil conditions, it is known to utilize rolling baskets,such as crumbler reels, to produce smaller, more uniform clod sizes andto aid in the mixing of residue. Typically, such rolling baskets areconfigured to be raised relative to the ground when operating theimplement in a transport mode. For example, in many instances, therolling baskets are rigidly coupled to a portion of the implement framesuch that the baskets are cantilevered relative to the ground when suchportion of the implement frame is moved to a raised or transportposition. However, such a configuration significantly increases the loadapplied through the implement during transport and also reduces thetongue weight for the implement. Similar disadvantages are also providedby other conventional rigidly coupled, rear-mounted finishers that areconfigured to be cantilevered when moved to the transport position. Forexample, in addition to the cantilevered loads, such finishers typicallydrastically reduce the tongue weight for the implement, which canpresent a safety hazard.

To address such cantilevered loading, it also known to provideground-engaging wheels in operative association with rolling baskets.Unfortunately, to date, tool assemblies including ground-engaging wheelsincorporated with rolling baskets have required that separate hydraulicactuators or lifting mechanisms be coupled to the wheels to allow thewheels to be raised and lowered relative to the ground independent ofthe baskets. Thus, such conventional tool assemblies are often quiteexpensive and can be complex in nature.

Accordingly, an improved auxiliary tool assembly for supporting afinishing tool(s) relative to the ground that addresses one or more ofthe above-describes issues of the prior art would be welcomed in thetechnology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to an agriculturalimplement for performing an operation relative to a surface of theground. The implement may include a frame extending between a forwardend and an aft end. The implement may also include a tool bar coupled tothe frame so as to be positioned at or adjacent to its aft end, with thetool bar supporting a plurality of ground-engaging tools. In addition,the implement may include an auxiliary tool assembly pivotally coupledto the tool bar such that the auxiliary tool assembly is movable betweena work position and a transport position. The auxiliary tool assemblymay include a support arm including a proximal end pivotally coupled tothe tool bar and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The auxiliarytool assembly may also include a wheel coupled to the distal end of thesupport arm, with the wheel being configured to be raised relative tothe surface of the ground when the auxiliary tool assembly is at thework position. Moreover, the auxiliary tool assembly may include afinishing tool coupled to the support arm at a mounting location definedbetween the proximal and distal ends of the support arm. The finishingtool may be configured to engage the surface of the ground at a locationaft of the ground-engaging tools supported by the tool bar when theauxiliary tool assembly is at the work position. Further, when theauxiliary tool assembly pivots from the work position to the transportposition, the distal end of the support arm is lowered relative to theground and the mounting location is raised relative to the ground suchthat the wheel is lowered into engagement with the surface of the groundwhile the finishing tool is raised relative to the surface of theground.

In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to anauxiliary tool assembly for use with an agricultural implement having aframe extending between a forward end and an aft end. The auxiliary toolassembly may include a support arm having a proximal end configured tobe pivotally coupled to the frame and a distal end opposite the proximalend, with the support arm being configured to pivot relative to theframe to allow the auxiliary tool assembly to be moved between a workposition and a transport position. The auxiliary tool assembly may alsoinclude a wheel coupled to the distal end of the support arm. The wheelmay be configured to be raised relative to the surface of the groundwhen the auxiliary tool assembly is at the work position. In addition,the auxiliary tool assembly may include a finishing tool coupled to thesupport arm at a mounting location defined between the proximal anddistal ends of the support arm. The finishing tool may be configured toengage the surface of the ground at a location forward of the wheel whenthe auxiliary tool assembly is at the work position. Moreover, when theauxiliary tool assembly pivots from the work position to the transportposition, the distal end of the support arm may be lowered relative tothe ground and the mounting location may be raised relative to theground such that the wheel is lowered into engagement with the surfaceof the ground while the finishing tool is raised relative to the surfaceof the ground.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of anagricultural implement including an auxiliary tool assembly installed atits aft end in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the auxiliarytool assembly shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the presentsubject matter;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the auxiliary tool assembly shown inFIG. 2, particularly illustrating the auxiliary tool assembly in a workposition such that a finishing tool(s) of the assembly is engaging theground and a wheel(s) of the assembly is raised relative to the ground;and

FIG. 4 illustrates another side of the auxiliary tool assembly shown inFIG. 2, particularly illustrating the auxiliary tool assembly after ithas been moved from the work position shown in FIG. 3 to a transportposition such that the finishing tool(s) is raised relative to groundand the wheel(s) is contacting the ground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

In general, the present subject matter is directed to an auxiliary toolassembly for an agricultural implement that is configured to support afinishing tool(s), such as a rotary tool, at a location at or adjacentto the aft end of the implement. Specifically, in several embodiments,the auxiliary tool assembly may include a support arm extendinglengthwise between a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximalend of the support arm being pivotally coupled to a portion of theimplement at or adjacent to its aft end (e.g., by being coupled to atool bar positioned at or adjacent to the aft end of the implement) sothat the tool assembly is pivotable or movable relative to the implementabout a horizontal axis between a work position and a transportposition. In such an embodiment, the finishing tool(s) may be configuredto be coupled to or otherwise supported relative to the ground by thesupport arm at a location between its proximal and distal ends.Additionally, the auxiliary tool assembly may include one or moresurface-engaging wheels coupled to the distal end of the support arm. Aswill be described below, the auxiliary tool assembly may be configuredto be located at its work position when an aft portion of the implementis at a lowered position relative to the surface of the ground such thatthe finishing tool(s) engages the ground while the wheel(s) ismaintained at a location above the ground. However, when the aft portionof the implement is raised relative to the surface of the ground, theauxiliary tool assembly may pivot from its work position to itstransport position such that the wheel(s) is moved into engagement withthe surface of the ground while the finishing tool(s) is raised to alocation above the ground. As a result, the wheel(s) may support asignificant portion of the weight of the auxiliary tool assembly when atthe transport position, thereby avoiding a cantilevered condition forthe tool assembly and also improving the tongue weight for the implementas compared to conventional rigidly coupled rear-mounted assemblies.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of one embodiment of anagricultural implement 10 is illustrated in accordance with aspects ofthe present subject matter. In general, the implement 10 may beconfigured to be towed or pulled behind a work vehicle (not shown inFIG. 1), such as an agricultural tractor, in a forward direction oftravel (e.g., as indicated by arrow 12 in FIG. 1). As shown, theimplement 10 may include a main implement frame 14 extending lengthwisebetween a forward end 16 and an aft end 18. In one embodiment, the mainimplement frame 114 may include a hitch 20 or other suitable couplinglocated at its forward end 16 that is configured to couple the implement10 to the associated work vehicle.

Additionally, in several embodiments, the main implement frame 14 may beconfigured to support a plurality of frame sections or tool bars, which,in turn, support a plurality of ground-engaging tools, such as aplurality of shanks, disc blades, leveling blades, basket assemblies,and/or the like, that are configured to perform an operation (e.g., atillage operation) within the field across which the implement 10 isbeing towed. For example, in one embodiment, the main implement frame 14may generally function to support one or more central tool bars 22, oneor more forward tool bars 24 positioned forward of the central toolbar(s) 22 in the direction of travel 12 of the implement 10, and one ormore aft tool bars 26 positioned aft of the central tool bar(s) 22 inthe direction of travel 12 of the implement 10. As shown in FIG. 2, inone embodiment, the central tool bar(s) 22 may correspond to one or moreshank frames configured to support a plurality of ground-engaging shanks28. However, in other embodiments, the central tool bar(s) 22 may beconfigured to support any other suitable ground-engaging tools.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the forward toolbar(s) 24 may correspond to one or more disk frames configured tosupport various gangs or sets of disk blades 30. In such an embodiment,each disk blade 30 may, for example, include both a concave side (notshown) and a convex side (not shown). In addition, the various gangs ofdisk blades 30 may be oriented at an angle relative to the traveldirection 12 of the implement 10 to promote more effective tilling ofthe soil. However, in other embodiments, the forward tool bar(s) 24 maybe configured to support any other suitable ground-engaging tools.

Moreover, similar to the central and forward tool bar(s) 22, 24, the afttool bar(s) 26 may also be configured to support a plurality ofground-engaging tools. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, theaft tool bar(s) 26 is configured to support a plurality of levelingblades 32. However, in other embodiments, any other suitableground-engaging tools may be coupled to and supported by the aft toolbar(s) 26, such as a plurality closing disks.

It should be appreciated that one or more of the various tool bars 22,24, 26 and/or the ground-engaging tools 28, 30, 32 supported by suchtool bars 22, 24, 26 may be configured to be moved or actuated relativeto the ground between an implement work position (hereinafter referredto the “lowered position”), at which the ground-engaging tools 28, 30,32 are configured to engage or penetrate the ground, and an implementtransport position (hereinafter referred to as the “raised position”),at which the ground-engaging tools 28, 30, 32 are raised relative to thesurface of the ground (and, thus, no longer engage the ground). Forinstance, as will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4,the aft tool bar(s) 26 may be configured to be moved from a loweredposition to a raised position to raise the ground-engaging tools 32supported by the tool bar 26 relative to the ground. As such, when theimplement 10 is being towed in its transport mode (e.g., along a road),the various ground-engaging tools 28, 30, 32 of the implement 10 may bepositioned above the surface of the ground.

Additionally, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter,the implement 10 may also include an auxiliary tool assembly 100supported at or adjacent to the aft end 18 of the main implement frame14. For instance, as shown in FIG. 1, the auxiliary tool assembly 100may be coupled to a portion of the aft tool bar(s) 26 and extendoutwardly therefrom in a direction opposite the forward travel direction12 of the implement 10 such that portions of the auxiliary tool assembly100 are located aft of the ground-engaging tools 32 supported by the afttool bar(s) 26. The various components of the auxiliary tool assembly100 will generally be described below with reference to FIGS. 2-4.

It should also be appreciated that the configuration of the agriculturalimplement 10 described above and shown in FIG. 1 is provided only toplace the present subject matter in an exemplary field of use. Thus, itshould be appreciated that the present subject matter may be readilyadaptable to any manner of implement configuration.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, several views of one embodiment of theauxiliary tool assembly 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1 areillustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter.Specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the auxiliarytool assembly 100. Additionally, FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate side views ofthe auxiliary tool assembly 100, particularly illustrating the toolassembly 100 at both a work position when the aft tool bar(s) 26 of theimplement 10 is at its lowered position (FIG. 3) and a transportposition when the tool bar(s) 26 is at its raised position (FIG. 4). Itshould be appreciated that, in general, the auxiliary tool assembly 100will be described herein with reference to the implement 10 shown inFIG. 1. However, those of ordinary skill in the art should appreciatethat the disclosed tool assembly 100 may be utilized with agriculturalimplements having any other suitable implement configuration.

As particularly shown in FIG. 2, the auxiliary tool assembly 100 maygenerally include one or more support arms 102, 104 configured tosupport one or more finishing tools 106 and one or more associatedsurface-engaging wheels 108, 110 relative to the surface of the ground112 (FIGS. 3 and 4). For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, thetool assembly 100 includes a first support arm 102 and a second supportarm 104. However, in other embodiments, the tool assembly 100 mayinclude any other suitable number of support arms, such as a singlesupport arm or three or more support arms.

In general, each support arm 102, 104 may be configured to extendlengthwise between a proximal end 114 and a distal end 116, with theproximal end 114 being configured to be pivotally coupled to a portionof the aft tool bar(s) 26 of the implement 10 about a substantiallyhorizontally oriented pivot point 118 (FIGS. 3 and 4). For example, asshown in FIGS. 2-4, a suitable mounting bracket 120 or other pivotalmounting feature may be secured between the proximal end 114 of eachsupport arm 102, 104 and the tool bar(s) 26 to allow the support arms102, 104 to be pivotally coupled to the tool bar(s) 26. As will bedescribed below, such a pivotal connection between the support arms 102,104 and the tool bar(s) 26 may allow the support arms 102, 104 to pivotrelative to the tool bar(s) 26 about the horizontal pivot point 118 asthe tool bar(s) 26 is moved between its lowered and raised positions.Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each support arm 102, 104 maybe configured to extend from its proximal end 114 outwardly from thetool bar(s) 26 such that the distal end 116 of each support arm 102, 104is spaced apart from the tool bar(s) 26 in a direction opposite theforward travel direction 12 of the implement 10.

In one embodiment, each support arm 102, 104 may include two or more armportions provided at an angled orientation relative to one another. Forinstance, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, each support arm 102,104 may include a first arm portion 122 and a second arm portion 124,with the second arm portion 124 being angled relative to the first armportion 122. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first armportion 122 may extend lengthwise between the proximal end 114 of eachsupport arm 102, 104 and a bend 126 defined between the first and secondarm portions 122, 124, with the second arm portion 124 extendinglengthwise from the bend 126 to the distal end 116 of each support arm102, 104. In such an embodiment, the first and second arm portions 122,124 may be formed integrally with each other. However, in otherembodiments, the first and second arm portions 122, 124 may correspondto separate components. In such an embodiment, the first and second armportions 122, 124 may be configured to be rigidly coupled to each other(e.g., to form a joint at the location of the bend 126) such that thefirst and second arm portions 122, 124 are angled relative to eachother. As will be described below, the angled orientation of the armportions 122, 124 of each support arm 102, 104 may facilitate raisingthe finishing tool(s) 106 relative to the surface of the ground 112while lowering the wheel(s) 108, 110 relative to the ground 112 when thetool bar(s) 26 is moved from its lowered portion to its raised position.

As indicated above, the auxiliary tool assembly 100 may also include oneor more surface-engaging wheels. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, thetool assembly 100 may include a pair of surface-engaging wheels coupledto the support arms 102, 104, such as a first wheel 108 coupled to thedistal end 116 of the first support arm 102 and a second wheel 110coupled to the distal end 116 of the second support arm 104. However, inother embodiments, the tool assembly 100 may include any other suitablenumber of wheels coupled to each support arm 102, 104, such as two ormore wheels coupled to each support arm 102, 104.

It should be appreciated that, as used herein, the term “wheel” is usedbroadly and is intended to cover various embodiments of rolling supportdevices, including a wheel with or without a tire provided in associatedtherewith. For example, in several embodiments, the term “wheel” maycorrespond to a wheel configured to directly contact or engage theground around its outer perimeter or the term “wheel” may correspond toa wheel configured to contact or engage the ground via a tire orsuitable inflatable member installed around its outer perimeter.

In several embodiments, each wheel 108, 110 may be supported forrotation relative to its adjacent support arm 102, 104 about arotational axis 128 (FIGS. 3 and 4) via a support bracket 130. Forinstance, the support bracket 130 may correspond to a wheel fork orother similar structure such that the support bracket 130 includes sideportions extending along either side of the corresponding wheel 108, 110that receive a shaft or pin defining the rotational axis 128 of thewheel 108, 110. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the support bracket130 associated with each wheel 108, 110 may, in turn, be coupled to thedistal end 116 of the adjacent support arm 102, 104 via a correspondingmounting bracket 132. In one embodiment, each support bracket 130 may becastered or otherwise pivotally coupled to the adjacent mounting bracket132 to allow its associated wheel 108, 110 to pivot or swivel relativeto the mounting bracket 132 (and, thus, relative to its respectivesupport arm 102, 104). For instance, as shown in FIG. 3, the supportbracket 130 may include a pin connector or post 134 at its upper endthat is configured to allow the support bracket 130 to pivot or swivelrelative to the mounting bracket 132 about a fixed swivel axis (e.g., asindicated by line 136 in FIG. 4). Thus, as the implement 10 is turned asit is being towed by an associated work vehicle, the wheels 108, 110 maybe allowed to swivel or pivot about the fixed swivel axis 136 such thatthe orientation of the rotational axis 128 of each wheel 108, 110 canvary relative to the support arms 102, 104. Such swiveling or pivotingof the wheels 108, 110 will allow the wheels 108, 110 to follow theimplement 10 without sliding side-to-side.

Moreover, as indicated above, the auxiliary tool assembly 100 may alsoinclude one or more finishing tools 106 supported by the support arms102, 104. For instance, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, thefinishing tool(s) 106 may correspond to a basket assembly 138 coupled toeach support arm 102, 104 at a mounting location 140 defined on eachsupport arm 102, 104 between its proximal and distal ends 114, 116, suchas by coupling the basket assembly 138 to the first arm portion 122 ofeach support arm 102, 104 at a mounting location 130 directly forward ofthe bend 126 defined between the first and second arm portions 122, 124of each support arm 102, 104. In such an embodiment, the basket assembly138 may include one or more rolling baskets 142 secured to the supportarms 102, 104 via one or more mounting bars 144, such as one or morecrumbler baskets including a rotary reel having a plurality of flat bars146 attached to laterally spaced apart support plates 148. However, inother embodiments, the finishing tool(s) 106 may correspond to any othersuitable rotary tool(s) known in the art that is configured to rollalong or otherwise rotate as the tool(s) engages the ground 112.Alternatively, the finishing tool(s) 106 may correspond to any othersuitable finisher-type tool, including any suitable non-rotaryground-engaging tools.

As particularly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the finishing tool(s) 106 may becoupled to the support arms 102, 104 such that the tool(s) 106 isconfigured to engage the ground 112 at a location forward of the wheels108, 110 and aft of the tool bar(s) 26. For instance, as shown in FIG.1, the finishing tool(s) 106 may be configured to be disposed betweenthe wheels 108, 110 of the auxiliary tool assembly 110 and the aft-mostground-engaging tools 32 supported by the implement frame 14. Thus,given its relative positioning to the other ground-engaging tools 28,30, 32 of the implement 10, the finishing tool(s) 106 may be used as thefinal stage of field conditioning as the implement 10 is moved acrossthe field. In particular, when the finishing tool(s) 106 includes one ormore rolling baskets 142, such as one or more crumbler baskets, thebaskets 142 may serve to create a more smooth finish for the field beingprocessed via the implement 10. For instance, the baskets 142 mayproduce smaller, more uniform clods size, remove soil from roots, andfurther aid in the mixing of residue, all of which will lead to improvedsoil conditions for plant germination.

As indicated above, given the pivotal connection between the supportarms 102, 104 and the tool bar(s) 26, each support arm 102, 104 may beconfigured to pivot relative to the tool bar(s) 26 about its associatedhorizontal pivot point 118 as the tool bar(s) 26 is moved between itslowered position 150 (e.g., as indicated by the position shown in solidlines in FIG. 3 and the position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4) andits raised position 152 (e.g., as indicated by the position shown indashed lines in FIG. 3 and the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 4).Such pivoting of the support arms 102, 104 may, in turn, allow thedisclosed auxiliary tool assembly 100 to be moved relative to the toolbar(s) 26 between a work position (FIG. 3) and a transport position(FIG. 4) as the tool bar(s) 26 is moved between its lowered and raisedpositions 150, 152. As will be described below, as the auxiliary toolassembly 100 transitions from its work position to its transportposition, the finishing tool(s) 106 may be raised relative to thesurface of the ground 112 (i.e., such that the finishing tool(s) 106 isno longer contacting the ground 112) while the wheels 108, 110 arelowered relative to the ground 112 (i.e., such that the wheels 108, 110come into contact with and begin rotating relative to the ground 112).Thus, as opposed to being cantilevered off of the aft end of theimplement 10 such that the entire weight of the auxiliary tool assembly100 is applied through the tool bar(s) 26, at least a portion of theweight of the tool assembly 100 will be carried by the wheels 108, 110when the tool bar(s) 26 is moved to its raised position 152.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the tool bar(s) 26 is at itslowered position 150, the finishing tool(s) 106 may be configured tocontact or roll across the surface of the ground 112, thereby allowingthe tool(s) 106 to create a smooth field finish at the rear of theimplement 10. In addition, when the tool bar(s) 26 is at its loweredposition 150, the wheels 108, 110 may be configured to be raisedrelative to the surface of the ground 112, thereby preventing the wheels108, 110 from hindering the performance of the finishing tool(s) 106. Asparticularly shown in FIG. 3, such positioning of the finishing tool(s)106 and the wheels 108, 110 relative to the surface of the ground 112may be achieved, at least in part, due to the configuration of thesupport arms 102, 104. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, whenthe auxiliary tool assembly 100 is located at the work position, thefirst arm portion 122 of each support arm 102, 104 may be orientedrelative to the surface of the ground 112 such that the mountinglocation 140 for the finishing tool(s) 106 on each support arm 102, 104is spaced apart from the ground 112 by a first vertical distance 154 soas to allow the finishing tool(s) 106 to be maintained in contact withthe ground 112. In contrast, the second arm portion 124 of each supportarm 102, 104 may be oriented relative to the surface of the ground 112such that the distal end 116 of each support arm 102, 104 is spacedapart from the ground 112 by a second vertical distance 156 so as toallow the wheels 108, 110 to be maintained above the ground 112.Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the second arm portion 124 is angledupwardly relative to the first arm portion 122 in a direction away fromthe surface of the ground 112 such that the wheels 108, 110 aresuspended relative to the ground 112 while the finishing tool(s) 106 iscontacting the ground 112.

However, as shown in FIG. 4, when the tool bar(s) 26 is moved from itslowered portion 150 to its raised position 152, the support arms 102,104 may be configured to pivot downwardly relative to the tool bar(s) 26about their horizontal pivot points 118 (e.g., in a counter-clockwisedirection relative to the view of FIG. 4) such that the finishingtool(s) 106 is raised relative to the surface of the ground 112 whilethe wheels 108, 110 are lowered relative to the ground 112.Specifically, as the tool bar(s) 26 is being raised (e.g., in thedirection of the arrow shown in FIG. 3), such pivoting of the supportarms 102, 104 may result in the portions of the support arms 102, 104defining the mounting locations 140 for the finishing tool(s) 106 beingraised relative to the ground 112 and the distal ends 116 of the supportarms 102, 104 being lowered relative to the ground 112. For example, asshown in FIG. 4, when the auxiliary tool assembly 100 is moved to thetransport position, the first vertical distance 154 defined between themounting locations 140 and the surface of the ground 112 may beincreased such that the finishing tool(s) 106 are raised above theground surface. Similarly, as the support arms 102, 104 pivot towardsthe transport position, the second vertical distance 156 may bedecreased as the distal end 116 of each support arm 102, 104 is movedcloser to the ground 112 such that the wheels 108, 110 contact and beginto roll along the ground 112, thereby allowing the wheels 108, 110 to atleast partially support the weight of the auxiliary tool assembly 100.

It should be appreciated that, given the configuration of the disclosedauxiliary tool assembly 100, the finishing tool(s) 106 and the wheels108, 110 may be moved into and out of engagement with the ground 112without requiring a separate actuator (e.g., a hydraulic actuator) foractuating the wheels 108, 110 and/or the finishing tool(s) 106 relativeto the ground 112. As such, the relative spacing between the finishingtool(s) 106 and the wheels 108, 110 may remain fixed. For instance,assuming that the wheels 108, 110 are maintained at a given swivelorientation relative to the distal ends 116 of the support arms 102, 104such that the rotational axis 128 of the wheels 108, 110 is maintainedparallel to a corresponding rotational axis 158 of the finishing tool(s)106, a distance 160 (FIG. 3) defined between such rotational axes 128,158 will remain fixed as the auxiliary tool assembly 100 is movedbetween its work and transport positions.

Additionally, given the configuration of the disclosed auxiliary toolassembly 100, the relative spacing between the support arms 102, 104 andthe finishing tool(s) 106 and between the support arms 102, 104 and thewheels 108, 110 may remain fixed. For instance, assuming that the wheels108, 110 are maintained at a given swivel orientation relative to thedistal ends 116 of the support arms 102, 104 such that the rotationalaxis 128 of the wheels 108, 110 is maintained parallel to the rotationalaxis 158 of the finishing tool(s) 106, a distance 162 (FIG. 3) definedbetween the rotational axis 128 of the wheels 108, 110 and the mountinglocations 140 for the finishing tool(s) 106 on the support arms 102, 104will remain fixed as the auxiliary tool assembly 100 is moved betweenits work and transport positions. Similarly, a distance 164 (FIG. 4)defined between the rotational axis 158 of the finishing tool(s) 106 andthe distal ends 116 of the support arms 102, 104 will remain fixed asthe auxiliary tool assembly 100 is moved between its work and transportpositions.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An agricultural implement for performing anoperation relative to a surface of the ground, the implement comprising:a frame extending between a forward end and an aft end; a tool barcoupled to the frame so as to be positioned at or adjacent to its aftend, the tool bar supporting a plurality of ground-engaging tools; anauxiliary tool assembly pivotally coupled to the tool bar such that theauxiliary tool assembly is movable between a work position and atransport position, the auxiliary tool assembly comprising: a supportarm including a proximal end pivotally coupled to the tool bar and adistal end opposite the proximal end, the support arm including a firstarm portion and a second arm portion, the first arm portion being angledrelative to the second arm portion, and the first arm portion extendsbetween the proximal end of the support arm and a bend defined in thesupport arm, the second arm portion extending between the bend and thedistal end of the support arm; a wheel coupled to the distal end of thesupport arm, the wheel configured to be raised relative to the surfaceof the ground when the auxiliary tool assembly is at the work position;and a finishing tool coupled to the support arm at a mounting locationdefined between the proximal and distal ends of the support arm, thefinishing tool being configured to engage the surface of the ground at alocation aft of the ground-engaging tools supported by the tool bar whenthe auxiliary tool assembly is at the work position, wherein, when theauxiliary tool assembly pivots from the work position to the transportposition, the distal end of the support arm is lowered relative to theground and the mounting location is raised relative to the ground suchthat the wheel is lowered into engagement with the surface of the groundwhile the finishing tool is raised relative to the surface of theground.
 2. The implement of claim 1, wherein the tool bar is configuredto be moved between a lowered position, wherein the ground-engagingtools are engaged with the ground, and a raised position, wherein theground-engaging tools are raised relative to the surface of the ground.3. The implement of claim 1, wherein the finishing tool comprises arotary tool.
 4. The implement of claim 3, wherein the rotary toolcomprises at least one rolling basket configured to roll across thesurface of the ground when the auxiliary tool assembly is at the workposition.
 5. The implement of claim 4, wherein the at least one rollingbasket comprises at least one crumbler basket.
 6. The implement of claim1, wherein the wheel is coupled to the distal end of the support arm viaa support bracket.
 7. The implement of claim 6, wherein the supportbracket is configured to swivel relative to the distal end of thesupport arm.
 8. The implement of claim 7, wherein the support bracket iscoupled to the distal end of the support arm via a mounting bracketrigidly coupled to the support arm, the support bracket being configuredto swivel relative to mounting bracket about a fixed rotational axis. 9.The implement of claim 1, wherein a distance between a rotational axisof the wheel and the mounting location remains fixed as the auxiliarytool assembly is moved between the work and transport positions.
 10. Theimplement of claim 1, wherein a distance between a rotational axis ofthe finishing tool and the distal end of the support arm remains fixedas the auxiliary tool assembly is moved between the work and transportpositions.
 11. An agricultural implement for performing an operationrelative to a surface of the ground, the implement comprising: a frameextending between a forward end and an aft end; a tool bar coupled tothe frame so as to be positioned at or adjacent to its aft end, the toolbar supporting a plurality of ground-engaging tools; an auxiliary toolassembly pivotally coupled to the tool bar such that the auxiliary toolassembly is movable between a work position and a transport position,the auxiliary tool assembly comprising: a support arm including aproximal end pivotally coupled to the tool bar and a distal end oppositethe proximal end, the support arm including a first arm portion and asecond arm portion, the first arm portion being angled relative to thesecond arm portion; a wheel coupled to the distal end of the supportarm, the wheel configured to be raised relative to the surface of theground when the auxiliary tool assembly is at the work position; and afinishing tool coupled to the support arm at a mounting location definedbetween the proximal and distal ends of the support arm, the finishingtool being configured to engage the surface of the ground at a locationaft of the ground-engaging tools supported by the tool bar when theauxiliary tool assembly is at the work position, and the finishing toolis coupled to the first arm portion of the support arm and the wheel iscoupled to the second arm portion of the support arm, the second armportion being angled away from the surface of the ground relative to thefirst arm portion when the auxiliary tool assembly is at the workposition, wherein, when the auxiliary tool assembly pivots from the workposition to the transport position, the distal end of the support arm islowered relative to the ground and the mounting location is raisedrelative to the ground such that the wheel is lowered into engagementwith the surface of the ground while the finishing tool is raisedrelative to the surface of the ground.
 12. The implement of claim 11,wherein the tool bar is configured to be moved between a loweredposition, wherein the ground-engaging tools are engaged with the ground,and a raised position, wherein the ground-engaging tools are raisedrelative to the surface of the ground.
 13. The implement of claim 11,wherein the wheel is coupled to the distal end of the support arm via asupport bracket, and wherein the support bracket is configured to swivelrelative to the distal end of the support arm.
 14. The implement ofclaim 13, wherein the support bracket is coupled to the distal end ofthe support arm via a mounting bracket rigidly coupled to the supportarm, the support bracket being configured to swivel relative to mountingbracket about a fixed rotational axis.